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Thursday, January 12, 2012

Last year it was WAIT and wait I did. I waited for that year to be over! It was truly a year of waiting. A year of trusting (although, I don't know how good I was at that). A year of surrendering (most of the time not without a fight). A tremendous year of growth and survival. It was a year that at the end, you say something like, "I waited it out and I lived to tell about it!"

So, as I headed into 2012, I have to say I was relieved to have a fresh start - to not have things looming over my family that were unknown and scary. Although, I guess life is pretty unknown and scary. It was for that reason that I really felt my word was going to be LIVE. I was tired of living in that looming shadow of the unknown and I so was drawn several times to the word LIVE as to not be held back for what God really wanted me to do this year.

Initially, I was drawn to a favorite verse - John 10:10 - I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.

That verse eventually led me to THIS verse... 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 16Rejoice always; 17pray without ceasing; 18in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

It's easy to be thankful when life is going your way. It's easy to open your sunroof and look into a Carolina blue sky and thank God for your life when pretty much all is well.

What I found out this last year while I was doing all that waiting, was that I was also becoming a bit embittered. I didn't like waiting and my heart was starting to harden. Ick - not a good way to find yourself.

Sure, I was living through it! But not joyfully. Not to those living through it with me, anyway.

Being thankful, having a heart of gratitude - it's in ALL circumstances. Not just when the sky is blue. Not just when life is going your way.

So, this life? This full life I'm to LIVE because of my faith in Jesus? I can't have it without an obedient life of gratitude.